Providing connection-oriented network services to mobile hosts

Abstract

Mobile computers using wireless networks, along with multimedia applications, are two emerging trends in computer systems. This new mobile multimedia computing environment presents many challenges, due to the requirements of multimedia applications and the mobile nature of hosts. We present several alternative schemes for maintaining network connections used to provide multimedia service, as hosts move through a nano-cellular radio network. These algorithms modify existing connections by partially reestablishing them to perform handoffs. Using a simple analytical model, we compare the schemes on the basis of the service disruption caused by handoffs, required buffering, and excess resources required to perform the handoffs. Two technological trends of the 1990s are the emerging use of wireless computers and network support for multimedia services. The products of these trends hold forth the promise of being combined in innovative ways to provide applications such as mobile digital video and audio conferencing. The new computing environment presented by wireless multimedia personal communication systems such as discussed in